Page 34 of Unbearable
“Why would she bolt?”
“I don’t know. She was at the bar flirting with some guy when she got a phone call. Two minutes later, she disappeared out theback door. I booked it after her while calling Knox. We chased her through several back alleys before she just vanished.”
“Did she make you?”
“No, I don’t think so. I was on the other side of the bar, and she never looked my way.”
“Did she see Knox?”
“I didn’t pull up until I was sure they were inside,” Knox answered. “I was a block away and didn’t leave the car until Dex called. I trucked it around back, but I never saw her.”
“What about the guy she was talking to? Do you think he made you?”
“No, he was just some eager stooge trying to have a good time. He’s out the price of two expensive cocktails for his efforts. He also hurried on to other fish when she got the phone call. Whatever she said to him did the trick,” Dex said.
“I wonder if she went home?”
“Text Fox and ask.”
“I can’t just ask if Brooke is home. He’d know something is up.
“Well, I can,” Knox said pulling his phone from his pocket. He pressed a button and held it to his ear. “Hey, man, what’s up?” Dover leaned closer as she waited. “Oh yeah, just you and little man then?”
“I knew it,” she hissed. Knox waved her away.
“Yeah, I could eat some shitty Boston pizza. I’ll be over in a few.” Knox hung up and looked at Dover. “Well, now I have to go hang out. Brooke didn’t go home.” He stood and stomped to the door. “I’ll be back later.” The door slammed behind him.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, noticing Dex staring up at the ceiling deep in thought.
“I don’t know, but that was weird. I would have expected her to flirt half the evening with that guy. I could even see sex atsome point, but just to run? I don’t know. And who was on the other end of the phone call?”
“Who knows. It’s more than I can deal with right now. Between whatever mess my brother is in and the private school bodies, I’m burning the candle at both ends. Maybe I just turn Knox loose on my brother. It doesn’t look like he’s going home anytime soon anyway.”
“Might not be a bad idea. He’s pretty much a bulldog when it comes to getting to the bottom of a problem. It drives you crazy at the time but usually turns out all right.”
“Can I ask you something?” she asked after studying him a few minutes. “How are you okay with all of this? The superpowers thing, the continuous hunt for family?”
“Well,” he began, “I’ve been around this crew for a while. I knew there was something different about Knox and Memphis from the beginning. Memphis was too good at finding people. Even better than I am. Not to brag, but I’m damn good. And things kept catching on fire around Knox.”
“What about Tyler’s strength? That didn’t intimidate you?”
“I wouldn’t be much of a man if one of the best things about my wife intimidated me. When I fell in love with Tyler, I knew that not only did I have to fully embrace how different she was, but also her crazy family. We have an unwritten rule. We take care of each other at all costs. I think Knox is on his fourth or fifth life by now doing just that.”
“I’ve never told anyone I date about my ability to see emotions,” she said. “It’s a stupid power, and I’m afraid they’ll just think there’s something wrong with me.”
“The right man won’t. He’ll see how incredible you are.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Anytime, kid.” He laughed. “Now, I should head out. I could use some sleep. I’m not used to staying out this late anymore.”He stood and walked to the door. “Still want me to meet you at the office again tomorrow? See if anything new pops up?”
“Yeah, that would be great.” He opened the door and stepped into the hallway. She waited until the door was closed behind him before smiling. At least the brother-in-law wasn’t irritating. She could survive him.
She took her bowl to the sink before heading toward the bedroom. Tomorrow promised to be another long, frustrating day. The search for where the medallions had been bought turned up too many options to trace. Nothing in the school records looked promising. He could very well be in there, they just didn’t know who he was.
Like she thought would happen, none of the schools were copping to any reports of harassment. Everyone with a key to the facilities had clean records and alibis for the time of death for each victim. Hours of tape from the bars just proved that they were popular places that really needed to update their equipment.
She brushed her teeth and cleaned her face while running through the evidence in her head. A headache was beginning to form behind her eyes. What she needed was a distraction. Her mind flitted across the thought of the sexy medical examiner before she pushed it aside. The newest Ruth Ware thriller would have to do.